Seniors warned of illegal door-to-door sales

HALIFAX - Seniors are being warned to watch out for slick sales pitches after a door-to-door seller was convicted last week of selling medical alarm and monitoring systems in Nova Scotia without a licence.

Thomas Peter Fennessey, 35, pleaded guilty to six charges under the Direct Sellers Act and was ordered to pay more than $2,000 in fines, and another $2,057 to one of his victims.

"We encourage all Nova Scotians to be consumer aware, but especially seniors who have been targeted as vulnerable and subjected to aggressive pressure tactics in their own homes," said Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Mark Furey. "My advice to anyone in a direct sales situation is to never sign or buy anything on the spot."

Consumers should always ask for proof that door-to-door sellers are licensed, or contact the Better Business Bureau or Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations to check for any consumer warnings.